For many the idea of a perfect family holiday is lying on a sun-drenched beach in a tropical paradise.

But for one family their summer holiday is something very different - a red double-decker bus winding its way across Britain.

Following in the footsteps of Cliff Richard and pals in the film Summer Holiday, devoted dad Stephen Bovingdon came up with the ideal way to enjoy relaxing weeks with his disabled son.

Stephen's son Scott, 10, needs round-the-clock care and has always missed out on most of the family's trips because of his medical problems.

Since the age of one, Scott has suffered from a unidentifiable condition which manifests itself in a type of epilepsy. The youngster is confined to a wheelchair and suffers regular seizures.

But this year Stephen was determined his son would have the holiday he deserves. And as a result the 40-year-old has transformed a double-decker London bus into a mobile home so all Scott's medical needs are catered for.

He said: "Scott has never been able to come away with us because of his condition. He requires a lot of care so it isn't easy for us to go away together, which is why I decided to do something about it.

"I was just sitting with a friend one night and I thought a London bus would work well. I've never been caravaning but I just thought a custom-made mobile home would be perfect.

"By doing it ourselves, I've been able to make sure it will work for Scott, as well as for the rest of the family.

"It means I've been able to make sure there's enough room and everything he needs around him so he enjoys the holidays as much as the rest of the family."

Stephen and his wife Lynn, 43, have already taken Scott, who hasn't been given an official diagnosis, and daughter Emma, 15, on two holidays to a caravan park in Cumbria since the bus was up and running.

He gutted the interior of the vehicle and installed bunk beds, a bathroom, kitchen and a paediatric room consisting of oxygen cylinders, wheelchair access and storage space for all Scott's medical supplies.

Stephen now needs to find #500 to paint the outside of the bus, which he stores at the Classic Coach depot in Annfield Plain, County Durham.

"It's been a big project and cost us about #12,000 in total," he said. "The bus came straight from London and I have bought a lot of the interior from DIY shops.

"It's been worth every penny because it means we can go away together. When we went to a caravan site on the west coast, Scott enjoyed having the sea breeze on his face and listening to the music at the clubs on the site. It was great."

The family, who live in Bensham, Gateshead, are currently lending their bus to the World's Biggest Coffee Morning event on Tyneside.

Macmillan Cancer Support is working together with Crossroads, who help to support young carers, to raise money for their cause.

The bus, which will be at Gateshead Civic Centre on Friday before touring the borough, will welcome young carers to slurp their way through mugs of coffee.

The second port of call will be at the Lord Lawson of Beamish School in Birtley, then Team Valley Retail Park, before finishing at the MetroCentre's Green Quadrant.

The money raised will help to support young carers aged between six and 18 whose childhood has been restricted as they cared for a family member.

Scott's sister Emma will be one of the young people raising awareness.

For more information on the event call Lynn Readman at Crossroads on (0191) 478 2423.